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west markham NAP73c km(e lffate4ax lflelg46&400a(cf Pei, /(�ouear6e� 2000 ct� of 4ttle Aod Pea�raiK� ad DeockPhreft Oe-,Pal-thre (e 723 `V(cet /Lia-14a#r Cover art: Photo of sunflowers planted by neighborhood group along I-630 bike trail. West Markham Neighborhoods Plan June 2000 Neighborhood Associations: Pennbrook/Cloverhill Neighborhood Association Sante Fe Neighborhood Association Treasure Hills Neighborhood Association Steering Committee: Clorinda Arace Lucille Bailey Olene Brown Jackie S. Fiske Carol Fuller Mollie Irvin Joan Chris Jordin Lisa Kovach James Kovach Arlette Miller Bernice Ramsey W. H. Ross Norma Russell Ruth Turner Special Thanks: John Barrow Church of Christ City of Little Rock: Planning and Development: Public Works: Brian Minyard Vince Hustead Quenton Burge Robert Fureigh The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 1 RESOLUTION NO. 135 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS IN SUPPORT OF THE WEST MARKHAM NEIGHBORHOODS ACTION PLAN. WHEREAS, the area residents and Neighborhood Associations formed a Steering Committee to develop a neighborhood Plan; and WHEREAS, the residents and other "stakeholders" in the area participated in a public meetings to discuss and identify area concerns to include in the plan; and WHEREAS, After several months of work by the Steering Committee, a set of goals and objectives were developed and presented to the neighborhood at a Plan Preview meeting; and WHEREAS, this Plan (Goals and Objectives) provides a way for both neighborhood based groups and others working in and around the neighborhood to advance the desires and meet the needs of the residents. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Little Rock does support the vision and goals as expresses in the West Markham Neighborhoods Action Plan. ADOPTED: RESOLUTION NO. 10,918 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS IN SUPPORT OF THE WEST MARKHAM NEIGHBORHOODS ACTION PLAN. WHEREAS, the area residents and Neighborhood Associations formed a Steering Committee to develop a neighborhood Plan; and WHEREAS, the residents and other "stakeholders" in the area participated in a public meetings to discuss and identify area concerns to include in the plan; and WHEREAS, After several months of work by the Steering Committee, a set of goals and objectives were developed and presented to the neighborhood at a Plan Preview meeting; and WHEREAS, this Plan (Goals and Objectives) provides a way for both neighborhood based groups and others working in and around the neighborhood to advance the desires and meet the needs of the residents. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. SECTION 1. The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock does support the vision and goals as expresses in the West Markham Neighborhoods Action Plan. ADOPTED: November 8, 2000 ATTEST: S/ Jim Dailey crTy cLxkK Nancy Wood MAYOR Jim Dailey 4W Table of Contents: Vision Statement 4 Goals and Objectives 5 Infrastructure 5 Traffic 11 Land Use 15 Neighborhood 16 Housing 18 Crime 19 Parks 20 Maps 21 Existing Land Use 21 Existing Zoning 23 Future Land Use 25 Proposed Land Use Plan Changes 27 Zoning Classifications 28 Future Land Use Plan Classifications 32 Telephone Survey 35 Executive Summary 35 Existing Conditions 37 Introduction 37 Socioeconomic Profile 37 Census Tract Map 39 Existing Land Use 40 Existing Zoning 41 Future Land Use 41 Circulation 42 Open Space and Environmental Considerations 42 Summary 42 Infrastructure Unfunded Needs List 43 The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 3 VISION STATEMENT 1. A neighborhood, which promotes a standard of living, that anyone living in the State of Arkansas deserves. 2. Convenience of a shopping area within walking distance that would offer grocery, drug, clothing, and hardware stores as well as medical services which would be an enhancement for our senior citizens as well as our younger residents. 3. Expansion of the public transportation system which would curtail some of the traffic and congestion. 4. Retain our natural areas with their trees and other vegetation to assist in mitigating the air pollution that is caused by the large volume of traffic in our area. 5. Minimize the impact of change on our neighborhood to maintain our quiet and serene neighborhood. Retain our natural areas and vegetation. Promote cleaner, more inviting image of neighborhoods by insuring walking and other outdoor activities are safe and practical. Parks, sidewalks and other public access areas are in neglect and in serious need of improvments/increased maintenance. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 4 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES INFRASTRUCTURE GOAL Building a better and safer neighborhood with sidewalks, street lights and an adequate drainage system. Implement a sidewalk installation and replacement program. • Establish a priority list for installing sidewalks in the neighborhood. • Have Neighborhood Associations lobby the Board or Directors to increase funding of sidewalk construction in the neighborhood. • Have Neighborhood Associations lobby the city to not grant variances for sidewalk requirements of construction for any redevelopment or new construction in the neighborhood. • Seek federal enhancement moneys for sidewalk construction along arterials. Improve the quality of the water lines (drinking & waste). • Work with Water Utilities to establish a priority list for sewage and water utility projects in the neighborhood. Improve water drainage throughout the neighborhood. • Work with Public Works Department to establish a priority list for drainage and reten- tion projects in the neighborhood. • Call Mosquito Control in the Solid Waste Division of Public Works to spray for mosqui- toes in area surrounding Rock Creek. Install more streetlights in the neighborhood. • Establish a priority list for installing streetlights in the neighborhood. (see chart) • Install new streetlights in areas designated by the neighborhood and retrofit older fixtures with more energy efficient and higher output fixtures. Eliminate health and safety issues around drainage culverts. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 5 Prevent flooding in the neighborhood. • Work with Public Works Department to establish a priority list for drainage projects in the neighborhood. (see chart) Provide a mechanism for the improvement of streets, curbs, and gutters in the area. • Aggressively seek City funding for maintenance and improvement of the neighborhood's streets identified by the neighborhood. (see chart) Provide better maintenance for Rock Creek and Grassy Flat Creek. • Establish a priority list of cleaning projects for the creek. (see chart) • Trim shrubs and other unwanted vegetation under and around the bridge where Markham Street crosses Rock Creek. • Have Public Works Department clean out debris and weeds out of the creek. (see chart) • Work with property owners to maintain creek front property. • Have Neighborhood Association to organize a clean-up day to pick up litter in open areas by Markham and Barrow. Clean up utility easement located between the 200 and 300 block of Poinsettia Drive *Have Neighborhood Associa- tion work with Water Works and property owners to orga- nize a clean up day for the utility easement. Clean up bike trail running west from Kanis Park along I- 630. *Have Neighborhood Associa- tion work with AHTD to orga- nize a clean up day for the bikeway. Rock Creek behind shopping center. Discourage the use of resi- dential streets by large trucks. • Limit the parking of large trucks to loading areas. (Sec. 36-512 Basically prohibits the parking of large commercial vehicles in residential areas. Motor homes, travel trailers, and 5th wheels are excluded from this definition.) Have Police Department enforce prohibitions against large truck traffic on residential streets. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 6 Sidewalk at West Markham and Pryor, leading to a bus stop in front of Burlington Coat Factory. Some, if not all of the following sidewalks and cross streets may not currently meet guidelines set forth in the Amercian with Disibilities Act. West Markham and Pryor West Markham and Midwood West Markham and Westbrook West Markham and Fairbrook West Markham and Serenity West Markham and Brookside West Markham and Burnside Sidewalk needing maintenance at Corporate One at 10025 West Markham. One of many sidewalk areas showing lack of care taken when work is performed under or around city sidewalks. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 7 �y " J � FI J yy � F S EEZI iv d Without additional improvements, ADA improvements are a moot point. Ozark Building at 10201 West Markham. , 1.�__ r {� d FS, Pedestrians need a sidewalk along Brookside Drive. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 8 These three photos show a lapse in street/sidewalk maintenance - especially in or around public access areas such as walkways, hydrants and/or bus stops. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 9 Prompt city action on trash pickup is needed. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 10 Traffic Goal: Slow down the continuous flow of traffic on the major arterials during peak traffic times to allow the public safe passage to and from these streets. Improve the flow of traffic on Markham and Rodney Parham. Improve traffic control on Barrow Rd. • Ask the traffic division of Public Works to install traffic lights in needed locations. Install a traffic light at the John Barrow and Clover Hill Road intersection. • Contact Henderson Middle School to encourage the Little Rock School Board to re- quest a traffic light at this location. • Investigate the installation of more traffic signals at dangerous intersections and near schools. Ask the traffic division of Public Works to install traffic signals or stop signs in needed locations. • Contact the elected officials (ward, at -large, and mayor) to ask that the signals be installed. • Work with Public Works Department to establish a priority list for installing traffic sig- nals in the neighborhood (see chart) • Modify signals on Rodney Parham at Brookside for protected left turns in all directions. • Modify signals on Reservoir at Rodney Parham for protected left turn onto Rodney Parham. Limit truck traffic to arterial streets. • Work with Traffic Engineer- ing in the Public Works Department to place signage on streets prohib- ited for truck use. Make neighborhood streets more accessible to CATA and school bus routes. • Work with Public Works Department and the School Board to limit on street parking that conflicts with bus routes (Brookridge, Cloverhill, Deerbrook and Nebling). Reduce excessive speeds in the neighborhood - espe- Brookside Drive during non -peak hours. Sidewalks are needed for pedestrian safety, especially for school children. cially around schools. • Work with Police Department to enforce speed limits on Markham St., John Barrow Rd., and Rodney Parham especially during peak times. • Work with Public Works Department to install speed bumps. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 11 John Barrow Road near Knoedl and Henderson School. Congestion along Barrow Road during school hours. More congestion at John Barrow Road and Cloverhill. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 12 Officers assist in directing traffic during the school year. Crossing the street can be dangerous to students. Improper loading and unloading of students adds to the conges- tion problems. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 13 Traffic on Markham Street during rush hour. This view is facing west. Stoplight at Barrow and 1-630. This is the model of stoplight that is desired at Barrow and Cloverhill. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 14 LAND USE GOAL: Use existing vacant structures to house new businesses so that the current commercial/ residential ratio in the neighborhood is kept intact. Limit expansion of new commercial development in the neighborhood. • Encourage reuse of abandoned "big box" retail buildings. • Limit existing Commercial land uses to existing acreage in the neighborhood. Prevent conversion of residential property into non-residential uses. • Limit expansion of non-residential development to areas shown as non-residential on the Future Land Use Plan as well as limiting businesses to areas zoned for non-resi- dential activity. Preserve the quiet and serene quality of the neighborhood. • Have Neighborhood Associations send representatives to lobby Planning Commission and Board of Directors to preserve the intrinsic characteristics of the neighborhood. Recycle abandoned commer- cial structures. • Establish a neighborhood business association to retain existing businesses and encourage new busi- nesses moving into the area to locate in existing com- mercial structures. • Establish a priority list of types of businesses (such as banks and grocery stores) to encourage to move into the neighborhood and locate in existing com- mercial structures. Review the appropriateness of existing zoning classi- fications relative to neigh- borhood priorities. • Determine if existing zoning classifications compro- mise the interest to revitalize or stabilize the housing and infrastructure and improve the overall appearance of the West Markham Neighborhood area. Some new businesses lower the socio-economic stan- dards of our neighborhood. Other businesses are an asset to the neighborhood. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 15 NEIGHBORHOOD INVOLVEMENT GOAL: Establish a neighborhood Welcoming Committee to inform new residents of the neighbor- hood expectations. Encourage the removal of garbage containers from curbsides on garbage pick up day. • Have Neighborhood Associations work with residents to remove trashcans from curbside after garbage is picked up on trash days. Enforce stricter property maintenance standards in the neighborhood. • Work with Code Enforcement and Building Inspections to insure that all residential structures meet city codes. Help residents dispose of difficult to remove items: i.e., motor oil, old refrigerators etc. • Work with Solid Waste Collection to schedule special pick up days for cleaning neigh- borhoods. "Spring Cleaning." Improve neighborhood image through the removal of abandoned vehicles. • Report abandoned vehicles to the police. Planting bed maintained by Cloverhill Pennbrook Neighbor- hood Associations near bike trail. Improve the image of the neighborhood through the reduction of litter. *Organize clean up days in the neighborhood. *Put trash cans at CATA stops. Improve the neighborhood's image through better mainte- nance of homes in the area. *Have Neighborhood Associa- tions work with community organizations to help the citizens maintain homes. •Make the owners aware of the home maintenance programs available through the City and the Banks. *Make homeowners aware of maintenance programs avail- able through information provided by Neighborhood Associations and Alert Centers. Hold property owners accountable for the appearance and condition of their prop- erty. Identify repeat offenders. Establish ordinances that will increase the penalties for non-compliance incrementally, The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 16 so that for each successive violation, the penalty increases. • The City of Little Rock will take action at once against property owners whose property does not conform to code. Improve the neighborhood's image through better property maintenance of schools. • Have the neighborhood associations lobby School Board for increased funding devoted to school maintenance. Promote greater neighborhood involvement in the planning process. • Neighborhood Associations should send representatives to Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment meetings. Limit retail hours of operation for Late -Hour Retail businesses. • Encourage convenience stores limit hours of operation to prevent late night loitering. Encourage enforcement of the City of Little Rock noise ordinance. • Call Police when city noise ordinance is violated. • Ord. 17035 includes noise caused by audio equipment and group yelling. The ordi- nance also specifically mentioned such noises made on the public streets. Bus stops are a constant source of litter and debris for the neighborhood. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 17 HOUSING GOAL: Encourage owner occupied homes in the area. Increase the amount of owner occupied homes in the area. • Market the area to young families with children. Low market values encourage investment in rental properties. Keep property values up. Increase the amount of owner occupied homes in the area. • Enforce rental inspections in the neighborhood. • Encourage home ownership and discourage conversion to rental properties. Promote the neighborhood as a place that has a good standard of living. • Market the neighborhood as an area of quality development and stable property values. "A neighborhood which promotes a standard of living that anyone living in the State of Arkansas deserves." Prevent the conversion, legal or illegal, of single family homes into apartments. *Work with Code Enforcement and Building Inspections to insure that all residential struc- tures meet city codes. Improve the quality of housing in the neighborhood. *Encourage demolition of burned out buildings that are beyond repair. One of many well maintained homes in the area. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 18 CRIME GOAL: Discourage crime in the neighborhood by encouraging neighbors to actively notify authori- ties of suspicious activity and eliminating such factors as overgrowth of vegetation and dark streets. Prevent crime in the neighborhood • Install more street lighting and retrofit older fixtures with more energy efficient and higher output fixtures. • Remove brush that obstructs views of areas where suspicious activities may take place. • Remove brush that obstructs views of neighborhood crime watch signs. • Work with Police Department to establish neighborhood crime watch programs. • Maintain signage for neighborhood crime watch program. Prevent drug -related activity in the neighborhood. • Develop activities/programs for young children. • Report drug and gang related activity to the schools. Prevent juvenile loiter- ing in the neighborhood. • Encourage church groups to get more involved in the neighborhood. Prevent truancy in the neighborhood. • Report truant activity to the schools. One of the neighborhood meetings concerning crime preven- tion and personal safety. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 19 PARKS GOAL: Encourage Parks and Recreation Department to bring the area parks up to standard so that they are aesthetically pleasing and safe for the community and then to maintain that standard. Encourage the Parks and Recreation Department to improve quality of parks in the neighborhood. • Work with Parks and Recreation Department to create a priority list for park mainte- nance, and lobby the Board of Directors for increased funding of parks. Have the Parks and Recreation Department build a neighborhood park. • Work with Parks and Recreation Department to amend the Master Parks Plan and build a park with swimming pool in the neighborhood. Provide safe equipment in neighborhood parks. • Work with Parks and Recreation Department to create a priority list for purchasing park equipment for Butler Park. Retain natural areas such as trees and grassy areas. • Work with Parks and Recreation Department to establish and maintain open spaces in Bridge over creek in Butler Park. the neighborhood. *"Due to the volume of traffic the quality of the neighborhood's air is being destroyed." *Lobby the Planning Commis- sion and the Board of Directors to increase the amount of Park/ Open Space shown on the Land Use Plan for the neigh- borhood. "Due to the volume of traffic the quality of the neighborhood's air is being destroyed." Wildlife in Butler Park. The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan page 20